Scott Taylor jumps on a pitch against the Grays
Fainting Goats 2
Isotopes 12
WP: Dave Warner
LP: Tom Conway
In a decisive first-round playoff matchup on Wednesday night at Mitchell Field, the 4th-seeded Isotopes squared off against the 5th-seeded Goats. Both teams entered the game with hopes of advancing to the quarterfinals, but it was the Isotopes who emerged victorious in a lopsided affair, thanks to a combination of timely hitting and defensive miscues by the Goats.
Tom Conway took the mound for the Goats, tasked with keeping the Isotopes' offense in check. However, the Goats missed an early opportunity to seize control of the game. In the top of the first inning, they loaded the bases against the Isotopes’ starter, Dave Warner, but managed to push across only one run. Warner's ability to escape the jam with minimal damage proved crucial, as it set the tone for the rest of the game.
The Isotopes wasted little time responding. In the bottom half of the first, they capitalized on their chances, scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead. The quick turnaround gave them the momentum, and they never looked back. Warner settled in after the shaky first inning, shutting down the Goats' offense and keeping them off the scoreboard for the next few innings.
In the fourth inning, the Isotopes added another run to extend their lead to 4-1. The Goats managed to cut into the deficit in the fifth, scoring a run to make it 4-2, but that would be the closest they would get. The Isotopes then took full advantage of a series of defensive errors by the Goats, who struggled to find their footing in the late innings.
Over the next two innings, the Isotopes broke the game wide open, scoring eight unanswered runs, many of which were the result of fielding mishaps and miscommunications by the Goats. By the end of the seventh inning, the Isotopes had built a commanding 12-2 lead.
With the game out of reach and the newly implemented mercy rule in effect, the contest was called after seven innings. The Isotopes' dominant performance earned them a spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face the formidable Plug Uglies.
For the Goats, the loss marked a disappointing end to their playoff hopes, as early missed opportunities and defensive lapses proved too costly to overcome. Meanwhile, the Isotopes head into the next round with confidence, looking to continue their postseason run.
Game photos courtesy of Stu Clark
Wonders 2
Dorian Grays 2
WP: TBD
LP: TBD
Thursday night’s quarterfinal playoff clash between the 6th-seeded Wonders and the 3rd-seeded Dorian Grays lived up to its billing, delivering eight innings of intense, back-and-forth baseball before being suspended due to darkness. Both teams showcased their resilience and grit, leaving the game tied at 2-2 and setting up a dramatic conclusion next Wednesday night.
The game began with Rick Stacy on the mound for the Wonders, facing off against the Grays' ace Tim Sigda. The Grays wasted little time in getting on the board, scoring a run in the bottom of the first inning. A combination of timely hitting and aggressive baserunning allowed the Grays to take an early 1-0 lead, setting the tone for what would be a hard-fought battle.
As the game progressed, Sigda dominated on the mound, holding the Wonders scoreless through six innings. His mix of sharp breaking balls and pinpoint fastballs kept the Wonders’ lineup off balance, allowing the Grays to cling to their slim lead. Stacy, meanwhile, kept the Wonders in the game with a gutsy performance of his own, preventing the Grays from extending their advantage despite several threats.
The turning point came in the top of the seventh inning. With the game hanging in the balance, the Wonders finally broke through against Sigda. They loaded the bases with nobody out. A combination of patient at-bats and timely hitting allowed the Wonders to push two runs across the plate, seizing a 2-1 lead and flipping the momentum in their favor.
However, the Grays were not ready to concede. In the bottom of the seventh, they responded with a rally of their own. A couple of well-placed hits and a crucial sacrifice fly allowed the Grays to scratch across a run, tying the game at 2-2. The tension was palpable as both teams knew that every play could be the difference between advancing to the semifinals and seeing their season come to an end.
The eighth inning saw both teams’ pitching and defense rise to the occasion, as they each worked out of jams to keep the game tied. As darkness began to settle over the field, it became clear that the game could not continue under the fading light. After a brief discussion between the umpires and both managers, the decision was made to suspend the game after eight innings.
The Wonders and Grays will resume their battle on Wednesday night, picking up right where they left off with the score tied at 2-2. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as the winner of this suspended game will immediately face the 2nd-seeded Phillies in a semifinal matchup later that same evening.
For both teams, Wednesday night will be the culmination of all their hard work throughout the season. The Grays will be looking to capitalize on their home-field advantage and the momentum from their seventh-inning rally, while the Wonders will aim to complete the upset and continue their Cinderella run in the playoffs.
Game photos courtesy of Patrick Johnson
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